Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart
Well, as reported, there are 3.58 million good reasons for Noosa to have re-joined the South East Qld Council of Mayors (COMSEQ) in November 2021.
A total of $3.58 million of funding has been granted to Noosa Shire which will kick-start liveability projects across Noosa, plus the region will have access to more than $400 million in funding pools. It’s through the SEQ City Deal announced on Monday 21 March 2022 – a 20-year partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and 11 Councils (including Noosa) which make up the Council of Mayors (SEQ).
The $3.58 million investment in community infrastructure could include sporting facilities that will help provide our region’s youngest residents a running start to 2032. Our local rivers, waterways and bay will also receive a needed boost with an additional $40 million over the next five years towards delivering priority, on-ground works to improve their overall health and resilience through the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Resilient Rivers Initiative.
It’s all aboard as Council’s Go Noosa Holidays transport options return for the Easter break. All Translink buses that operate solely in the Noosa Shire area will be free from April 2 to 18. Discounted frequent traveller passes on Noosa Ferry are available which allow residents and visitors to make a few stops in Tewantin, Noosaville and Hastings Street. To find out more about this terrific initiative, visit noosa.qld.gov.au/go-noosa-holidays
As we move from transport to infrastructure, phase one of the Main Beach amenities upgrade – a bank of 82 security lockers next to the surf club – was completed over the Christmas holiday period. Phase two of the works began in February where two new rock walls to increase seating availability have been completed. The remaining work to upgrade the outdoor showers and install two new bin enclosures will now commence after the Easter holidays.
An amendment moved by myself and supported unanimously by all Councillors will see this elected Council examine Noosa’s signage laws in a future workshop. It will help to ensure the laws still meet community expectations, following recent community angst after a circus was ordered to remove inflatable clowns.
While Councillors may be judged on the current signage laws, this Council has had no opportunity to have meaningful input into them to date. A workshop will offer councillors a chance to examine the laws in detail, have a say and decide whether it may be necessary to make any amendments to the rules, and if it is, begin the process. It’s a long process that involves significant community consultation.
Stage one of construction to upgrade the Noosa Parade corridor, one of Noosa’s busiest pedestrian and cycle routes, is well under way. The build kicked off at the beginning of February and is progressing well with stage one, which is the section from Munna Point Bridge to Lagoona Drive, expected to be completed in June. This upgrade supports the uptake of walking, cycling, and public transport.
Following the recent severe weather event in February, Council has revised the completion schedule for the Hinterland Playground. It will now be open to the community in mid-April.
The playground site received approximately 1000mm of rain during the flood event. The site performed as modelled and predicted, draining within three hours once the heavy rain eased, and with no significant structural impact to key infrastructure. Council has a Hinterland Playground Flood Risk Assessment and Emergency Management Plan (HPFRAEMP) in the event of a flood event.
Speaking of floods, Council staff and geotechnical engineers are continuing to monitor and assess the Black Mountain Road landslip. At this stage, we anticipate this road could be closed for six months.
We will of course work as quickly as we can. Myself and Council chief executive officer Scott Waters along with director Larry Sengstock have had very productive discussions with local residents about the pertinent issues impacting the Black Mountain community and our Noosa Council pop-up on the Mountain over the weekend proved a very popular and informative resource for the community.
Until next month, stay safe, Clare.
